Australia West Coast: Perth to ???? -- Suggestions for 10 days in December
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
Australia West Coast: Perth to ???? -- Suggestions for 10 days in December
Executive summary:
We would love to hear suggestions for what to do with 10-14 days on the west coast.
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Details: (Those things that many of FT faithful say they love to have to provide the best help )
As part of a longer trip mostly spent on the East side of Oz, we have 10 days on the west coast, mid-December. We can add a few more days, up to a max of 14. We're flying into Perth (flights already booked from US) and need to get back to either MEL or SYD. Perth and Broome are required (long story). The rest is optional. We've been to Oz before, but have never been to the West coast. We want to see a great diversity of the West coast on this trip, since we won't likely have the opportunity to spend this much time on the West coast again.
Any must see/must do suggestions would be greatly appreciated. More specifically, we're curious about how others would divvy up this time and what my fellow FT'rs would make sure to do.
The first order of business is picking the destinations and mode. Should we go Perth-Broome*, Perth-Broome-Darwin*, or something else? Should we fly, rent a car**, rent a camper***? Flying is certainly quick and easy. But how much would we miss along the way? Flying between cities and renting cars is easily doable. Budget is not much of a concern, but we're not looking for big-city/fancy/full-service hotels, hiring drivers, or luxuries. A reasonably comfortable bed, A/C, and a shower will suffice. On the other hand, if there is a nice resort to stay in or something must be done by sea-plane or helicopter, then we're game for that too.
The next level is how much time to spend in each place. We have friends in Perth we must visit and want to see the city (so we've planned at least two days there). We're flexible for the rest of the time. We're got several things in mind, but the two we're thinking about right now are:
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Notes:
* - These cities pairs are not the only possibilities, but Broome and Darwin seem to be the only places that support our flight needs back East.
** - We understand the enormity of the country, jet lag, temperature in some places, the 'joys' of driving long distances, and how much things cost (e.g., flights, lodging, crushing one-way rental fees, etc.). We think we understand the quality of the places we may end up staying, and that's fine with us. What we probably don't truly appreciate is the availability of support places (e.g., fuel, rest stops, lodging) on some of the long stretches of road.
*** - We have NO CLUE about renting campers. Sounds fun, but also scary hot to be sleeping in a camper in December. We're also worried about drop-off locations being closed as we get close to x-mas.
Many, many thanks in advance...
Ms. and Mr. ScatterX
.
We would love to hear suggestions for what to do with 10-14 days on the west coast.
------------------
Details: (Those things that many of FT faithful say they love to have to provide the best help )
As part of a longer trip mostly spent on the East side of Oz, we have 10 days on the west coast, mid-December. We can add a few more days, up to a max of 14. We're flying into Perth (flights already booked from US) and need to get back to either MEL or SYD. Perth and Broome are required (long story). The rest is optional. We've been to Oz before, but have never been to the West coast. We want to see a great diversity of the West coast on this trip, since we won't likely have the opportunity to spend this much time on the West coast again.
Any must see/must do suggestions would be greatly appreciated. More specifically, we're curious about how others would divvy up this time and what my fellow FT'rs would make sure to do.
The first order of business is picking the destinations and mode. Should we go Perth-Broome*, Perth-Broome-Darwin*, or something else? Should we fly, rent a car**, rent a camper***? Flying is certainly quick and easy. But how much would we miss along the way? Flying between cities and renting cars is easily doable. Budget is not much of a concern, but we're not looking for big-city/fancy/full-service hotels, hiring drivers, or luxuries. A reasonably comfortable bed, A/C, and a shower will suffice. On the other hand, if there is a nice resort to stay in or something must be done by sea-plane or helicopter, then we're game for that too.
The next level is how much time to spend in each place. We have friends in Perth we must visit and want to see the city (so we've planned at least two days there). We're flexible for the rest of the time. We're got several things in mind, but the two we're thinking about right now are:
- 3 days in Perth, 3 days round trip to Monkey Mia, 4 days in Broome (with day excursions)
- 3 days in Perth followed by a 8-day drive from Perth to Darwin (through Broome)**,***
Notes:
* - These cities pairs are not the only possibilities, but Broome and Darwin seem to be the only places that support our flight needs back East.
** - We understand the enormity of the country, jet lag, temperature in some places, the 'joys' of driving long distances, and how much things cost (e.g., flights, lodging, crushing one-way rental fees, etc.). We think we understand the quality of the places we may end up staying, and that's fine with us. What we probably don't truly appreciate is the availability of support places (e.g., fuel, rest stops, lodging) on some of the long stretches of road.
*** - We have NO CLUE about renting campers. Sounds fun, but also scary hot to be sleeping in a camper in December. We're also worried about drop-off locations being closed as we get close to x-mas.
Many, many thanks in advance...
Ms. and Mr. ScatterX
.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ARN / BRU
Programs: EBG (*G), QR Gold
Posts: 653
Glad to see someone wants to see the west coast!
Driving Perth to Darwin would be a great way to see things, but in my opinion you would need more than 8 days: its >4000KM without adding any side trips, I am not sure after 500KM a day of driving you will have the energy to enjoy the surroundings. So your first option sounds better.
As an example of some things to do I took my girlfriend on a road trip last time we were back in Perth:
Day 1: Perth to Jurien Bay. Side trip during the day to The Pinnacles.
Day 2: Jurien Bay. Pre-lunch swim with sea lions. Post lunch drive to Kalbarri.
Day 4: Kalbarri: Hike at Natures Window
Day 5: Kalbarri - Money Mia.
Day 6: In Monkey Mia, Dolphins, Quad Bike Excursion.
Day 7: Monkey Mia -> Coral Bay
Day 8: Coral Bay: Scuba/Snorkeling Ningaloo reef
Day 9: Coral Bay: Scuba/Snorkeling in Ningaloo reef
Day 10: Coral Bay: Day Trip up to Exmouth
Day 11: Mammoth drive back to Perth (we planned to split it over a few days, but i was getting sick of driving).
It was a great trip, but would have been hard to make it shorter, and we only got half way to Broome. Maybe a one-way rental to Broome to Perth might work?
When you are in Perth don't forget the Southwest. Margret River is worth the trip, for a 1 - 2 night stay, visit some wineries, visit Cape Leeuwin, visit "The Valley of the Giants".
Its a big state, and 10 days is a good start (and I do hope you like it enough to visit again), hopefully the above will help a bit.
Driving Perth to Darwin would be a great way to see things, but in my opinion you would need more than 8 days: its >4000KM without adding any side trips, I am not sure after 500KM a day of driving you will have the energy to enjoy the surroundings. So your first option sounds better.
As an example of some things to do I took my girlfriend on a road trip last time we were back in Perth:
Day 1: Perth to Jurien Bay. Side trip during the day to The Pinnacles.
Day 2: Jurien Bay. Pre-lunch swim with sea lions. Post lunch drive to Kalbarri.
Day 4: Kalbarri: Hike at Natures Window
Day 5: Kalbarri - Money Mia.
Day 6: In Monkey Mia, Dolphins, Quad Bike Excursion.
Day 7: Monkey Mia -> Coral Bay
Day 8: Coral Bay: Scuba/Snorkeling Ningaloo reef
Day 9: Coral Bay: Scuba/Snorkeling in Ningaloo reef
Day 10: Coral Bay: Day Trip up to Exmouth
Day 11: Mammoth drive back to Perth (we planned to split it over a few days, but i was getting sick of driving).
It was a great trip, but would have been hard to make it shorter, and we only got half way to Broome. Maybe a one-way rental to Broome to Perth might work?
When you are in Perth don't forget the Southwest. Margret River is worth the trip, for a 1 - 2 night stay, visit some wineries, visit Cape Leeuwin, visit "The Valley of the Giants".
Its a big state, and 10 days is a good start (and I do hope you like it enough to visit again), hopefully the above will help a bit.
#3
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sonoma
Programs: Several here and there, but not as many during my road warrior days!
Posts: 715
We had a great holiday in Western Australia last December. Originally we wanted to head north, but to everyone's advice they told us to head south, and we loved it. From what we were advised, the weather gets very warm to the north.
We spent a couple of days in Perth, drove to Albany for a few days, then to Margaret River (with a truffle lunch in Manjump), then a few days at Bunker Bay before returning to Perth. Great weather, awesome wine and food, and a wonderful holiday.
We spent a couple of days in Perth, drove to Albany for a few days, then to Margaret River (with a truffle lunch in Manjump), then a few days at Bunker Bay before returning to Perth. Great weather, awesome wine and food, and a wonderful holiday.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,481
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
Australia West Coast: Perth to ???? -- Suggestions for 10 days in December
Another vote for the southwest. Try to spend some time in the enchanted Forrest in boranup - just out of Margaret river. Or heading down to the big trees in pemberton or Walpole.
But you will prob nee three days min for that job of a trip and still feel like you are rushing.
Also the NW and the SW are like chalk and cheese - you could even argue they are different countries with how different the climate and geography is! Would be good to see both but the distances are vast
But you will prob nee three days min for that job of a trip and still feel like you are rushing.
Also the NW and the SW are like chalk and cheese - you could even argue they are different countries with how different the climate and geography is! Would be good to see both but the distances are vast
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
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Posts: 8,241
I drove from Perth to Broome in 2009, I loved it. I got a one-way camper for dirt cheap. I have not seen the southwest, but I think the great western highway was a blast.
My photos are here and geotagged, hope that gives you some inspiration!
http://picasaweb.google.com/cpmaverick/WesternAustralia
My photos are here and geotagged, hope that gives you some inspiration!
http://picasaweb.google.com/cpmaverick/WesternAustralia
#9
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 41
I would definitely recommend hiring a car and diving to Margaret River. It's a beautiful spot with great local wine and you will practically have the beaches to yourselves.
It's a great coastal drive that should only take you 1.5 to 2 hours.
It's a great coastal drive that should only take you 1.5 to 2 hours.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
[^] Thank you all again for the inputs. [/^]
We're super excited to see the left half, but starting to wonder if two weeks is enough. Guess we will have drive real fast and rush, rush, rush to jam all of our laid-back, maximum chilling, and total relaxin' into this trip. Or, we just plan on going back. Choices, choices, ...
If anyone has advice on places to stay (particularly South of Perth, on the way to Monkey Mia, or in Broome), that would be wonderful.
We're super excited to see the left half, but starting to wonder if two weeks is enough. Guess we will have drive real fast and rush, rush, rush to jam all of our laid-back, maximum chilling, and total relaxin' into this trip. Or, we just plan on going back. Choices, choices, ...
If anyone has advice on places to stay (particularly South of Perth, on the way to Monkey Mia, or in Broome), that would be wonderful.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 1,056
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Silver; 0.75MM: AA; Alaska; Southwest
Posts: 1,154
I drove from Perth to Broome in 2009, I loved it. I got a one-way camper for dirt cheap. I have not seen the southwest, but I think the great western highway was a blast.
My photos are here and geotagged, hope that gives you some inspiration!
http://picasaweb.google.com/cpmaverick/WesternAustralia
My photos are here and geotagged, hope that gives you some inspiration!
http://picasaweb.google.com/cpmaverick/WesternAustralia
#13
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: BAEC Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 465
Australia West Coast: Perth to ???? -- Suggestions for 10 days in December
On my Perth visit - I enjoyed my day at Rottnest Island -ferry there, no cars in islands and a day in Margaret River wineries
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat Pro, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,010
Great ideas, thanks Are there any other day trips (or overnight trips like Margaret River) from Perth worth seeing? I'm trying to decide how long to spend in Perth. Was thinking 5 days. That leaves me 4 to explore Perth, 1 to go to Rottnest Island and 1 add'l day (overnight) to hit Margaret River and see the wineries (and drive back the next day). So six overall in the area. Anything else worth doing/seeing in mid-January?
#15
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: BAEC Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 465
Australia West Coast: Perth to ???? -- Suggestions for 10 days in December
I was there 5 days - Pinnacles desert w/sand board tour, Margaret River day tour, Rottnest day visit (I'd stay overnight here if I could for bike rides and beach - depending on time of year), I also did a tour of the coast can't remember details - there was a lighthouse and where the oceans meet (Indian and southern). Wasn't a fan of Freemantle but did a boat tour there which was nice.